Dine like an aristocrat: Blackfish plans Downton Abbey' event

By M. ENGLISH, For The Times Herald

Friday, February 15, 2013

Much has been made of the sumptuous meals enjoyed by the artistocratic Crawley clan of Masterpiece Theatre mega-hit “Downton Abbey.” But if those decadent culinary depictions leave you hungry for more, there’s always the Feb. 24 “Downton Abbey” Dinner at Conshohocken’s Blackfish.

Granted, the modest exterior of the small Fayette Street eatery is no Highclere Castle (where the fictional series is shot). However, chef-owner Chip Roman clearly knows his way around a splendid dish or two and promises foodies and history buffs alike a Downton Abbey-worthy repast —amuse-bouche through post-prandial coffee.

Supping at this table will cost $100 per guest regardless of ancestral pedigree, and reservations are a must. Seating is set to start at 4:30 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. Attendees are “encouraged” to dress to the nines…even as Dowager Countess of Grantham Violet Crawley and company would.

“When we did our Titanic dinner last April, people came in black tie, and I think when people are interested in a topic or an era like this, they enjoy getting dressed up appropriately,” says Blackfish General Manager Josh Burchell. “It’s part of the whole experience.”

Of course, that experience begins with Blackfish’s highly-regarded Roman and staff.

“Chip’s the history buff, especially when it comes to food, and it’s a lot of fun to recreate these dishes that were popular nearly so long ago,” Burchell says. “I know, with the popularity of the show, there’s a lot of information available about that period and the foods that were popular back then — rich foods like foie gras and sweetbreads that are actually coming back now. The (“Downton Abbey”) menu is actually a combination of a lot of research and putting our own spin on those dishes.”

The food turned out by “Downton Abbey’s” kindly Mrs. Patmore and her downstairs kitchen crew is but one of the show’s many charms. How does the wildly-popular British drama keep its followers so stoked?

As Elizabeth Barrett Browning put it, let me count the ways.

“Joe and I never miss ‘Downton Abbey,’” says Plymouth Meeting’s Nita Dawidziuk of her — and husband Joe’s — favorite guilty pleasure. “Each week, it’s a welcome breath of fresh air compared to most modern TV dramas. The characters are interesting and enticing, and the situations presented each week keep you wanting more.

“Joe particularly likes the way the lord of the manor recognizes his position in providing jobs for all his employees and how he cares for their welfare despite the obvious class distinction. He finds it quite amusing how the English have such a proper way to ‘tell one off’ without verbally assaulting them.”

The Plymouth Meeting woman also “(loves) all the detail given to fashion and décor during the Victorian-Edwardian era.”

“And it’s interesting to see how the upstairs aristocracy are not much different from the downstairs maids, butlers and footmen. They all take their jobs seriously. Each character has his or her own story interspersed with historic events, and as we become more and more involved with them every week, we keep going back for more.”

Norristown resident Alice Arena calls “Downton Abbey” “the best show on TV…sort of like Masterpiece Theatre’s ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ but less theatrical and more intimate and engaging than ‘Upstairs Downstairs.’”

“We first got turned on to ‘Downton’ through Netflix, which supplied the first season, (and have been) hooked ever since,” Arena says.

“The show has a great mix of warm scenes and scenes with evil characters…and the costumes are absolutely stunning,” Arena notes.

“I just love historical fiction, whether it’s a book, a movie or a television show,” says Plymouth Meeting’s Patricia Spross.

“I enjoy anything about the life and times of a given period in history. What I love most about the show is that every single character – whether it’s a kitchen maid, a footman or an aristocrat — has a storyline. So, there isn’t any down time. You’re interested in everybody.”

“That’s all true,” agrees Royersford fan Kathleen Maier. “I’ve always liked period fiction. It gives you a look into a time that you just don’t get in some dry history book. It’s neat to see what went on day-to-day back then. How they dressed. How hard it was for them to accept new things – something like the telephone and other things that we just take for granted now.

“Like shortened hemlines…which is pretty hard for the older women to accept. Another thing is, how strict they are about some things. Like the chambermaid who had a thing with a soldier and ended up getting pregnant and having a baby. Now, she’s an outcast. Just comparing how they lived to the way we live. How wonderfully advanced things are now compared to back then. For example, how often women died in childbirth or how many people died during a flu epidemic.”

Trudy Plunkett and daughter Heather are equally hooked.

The former describes the show’s characters as “believable and real.”

“I like learning about the historical changes that happened – such as when they got a telephone installed and the war started – and what day-to-day life was like for the well-off and the servants,” says Plunkett, executive assistant at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill. “I like learning about how (the two groups) would have interacted. It’s interesting to see how well this particular family treats their help. I am surprised that they discuss personal family issues in front of the staff.”

“Downton Abbey’s” third season is scheduled to conclude Feb. 17.

Additional information about Blackfish’s Feb. 24“Downton Abbey” Dinner is available at 610-397-0888. The BYOB restaurant is located at 119 Fayette St., Conshohocken.